Laois councillor wants more climate action cash to combat flooding roads

A Laois county councillor is calling for the Government to give more climate action cash, in the light of increased rains and road floods.

Cllr Barry Walsh from the Portlaoise Municipal District, tabled two motions on road drainage to the February meeting, one in Spink, another in Ballyroan.

In Spink he asked that Laois County Council carry out temporary drainage works at Graiguenasmuttan.

He also asks the council to prepare an application for a permanent solution under climate action funding.

In Ballyroan, he seeks more water cuts and water diversion measures for the Stoney Road in Rahanavannagh.

Cllr Walsh said that in Spink, there is a steep incline at a small bridge, and in heavy rainfall, water is overflowing on the road and into a driveway of a private dwelling.

"It is creating potholes that we regularly have to fill. This is common throughout the county. I'm sure with the level of rainfall, climate action will probably need more funding," he said.

For Ballyroan, he said again that the problem is occuring on a steep road.

"I hope water cuts will work but we might need more. We need a bigger budget at national level. The consequences of leaving water to its own devices will be a lot of damage," he said.

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Cllr John Joe Fennelly supported both motions.

Water cuts will be made as requested in Rahanavannagh, and the area engineer Wes Wilkinson offered to meet Cllr Walsh on site in Graiguenasmutten to examine the road for short term work, and in the longer term, an application for drainage funding.